| History of New Hampshire
This means a great deal more than the bare statement implies. A broad and progressive policy was pursued by the Concord and by the Concord & Montreal railroads in construction, equipment and operation, depots, architecturally attractive were built, and a general policy inaugurated which could be directly traced to Mr. Kimball's influence. He was father of many of the comprehensive measures which, when brought to completion, constituted the Concord & Montreal so potent a factor in the growth and prosperity of New Hampshire. He was liberal in his planning for expansion and his management always called for the conserving of the best interests of the localities traversed by his subsidiary roads and branches. In memorable and often bitter controversies with rival corporations, Mr. Kimball was sagacious in council and efficient in action, and in the vexations and prolonged litigation before the summit of Mt. Washington was vested in the people he earned the gratitude of tourists by his foresight and loyal attitude. President Kimball was in advance of his associates in his support of consolidation, and while events made his first plans impossible the later leases of subsidiary roads, and the union of the Concord and the Boston, Concord & Montreal roads proved the wisdom of his early planning. In consummating the lease of the Concord & Montreal to the Boston & Maine, Mr. Kimball labored successfully to preserve the integrity of the subsidiary corporations, the property rights of stockholders and the larger interests of the public. He is to be found at his desk each day, neither summer heat nor winter cold having seemingly any deterring effect upon the veteran whose years have carried him into the ranks of octogenarians. Mr. Kimball is of the eighth American generation of the family founded in New England by Richard Kimball, who arrived in New Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1634 on the ship "Elizabeth." He is the youngest son of Benjamin and Ruth (Ames) Kimball, his father a prominent business man to whom is largely due the development of that part of the town of Boscawen, New Hampshire, now known as Penacook. Benjamin Ames Kimball was born in Boscawen, New Hampshire, August 22, 1833. His father died the following year and he was trained for life's battle by a mother whose memory he delights to honor. He prepared for college in Concord High School and Hildreth Preparatory School, entered Chandler Scientific Department of Dartmouth College, gaining a Bachelor's degree and high honors in scholarship, class of 1854. He at once entered the employ of the Concord Railroad as draughtsman in the mechanical department, was appointed superintendent of the locomotive department, and in due course of time became master mechanic. Eleven years were thus spent, and in 1865 he resigned his position to become a partner of the firm of Ford & Kimball, manufacturers of brass and iron castings. To this line the manufacture of car wheels was added, a line yet manufactured by the firm. In January, 1879, he returned to railroad life, and as director and chief executive of the Concord Railroad and its successor, the Concord & Montreal Railroad system, has gained the high positions he holds among railroad executives. In addition to his interest in Ford & Kimball he has many business connections of importance. He was one of the founders, director and president of Cushman Electric Company, and was trustee and president of the Concord Savings Bank during its existence. He was a member of the first board of directors of the Mechanics National Bank, was vice-president and since 1884 its honored president; was a trustee of the Merrimac County Savings Bank; an incorporator and director of the Manufacturers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Company and is officially connected with other corporate enterprises of Concord. In his relation to the public, Mr. Kimball is conscientious in the discharge of his duties and generous in the support of all forward movements. He has ever maintained personal and friendly relations with his associates and the men in his employ. His friendly greetings, words of sympathetic kindness and often substantial aid in time of need are treasured memories with many employees of the corporations he governs. In the securing of a new free public library for Concord under the liberal donation of William P. and Clara M. Fowler; in the erection of city water works; in locating the post office and state library buildings amid spacious surroundings he rendered valuable service to the city. When the foreign insurance companies withdrew from the State in consequence of the passage of the "Valued Policy" act of 1885, and the property owners were left without fire protection, he was one of the resolute, self-reliant men who at once came to the rescue and by the formation of new companies supplied the needed insurance. In any review of the unusual insurance problems of that period the prompt action of Mr. Kimball and his associates will merit attention and commendation. A Republican in politics, Mr. Kimball was long potent in party councils but never sought public office for himself. He was a member of the Lower House of the Legislature in 1870; a delegate to the constitutional conventions of 1876, 1889, and 1896; alternate to the Republican National Convention of 1880, and delegate-at-large in 1892; member of the executive council during the administration of Governor Moody Currier, in 1884; represented the council in designating and preparing a site in the State House yard for a statue of Daniel Webster; was commissioned by Governor Currier to represent New Hampshire at a convention of states which met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1886. This convention of commissioners outlined and later conducted the historic and memorable ceremonies and celebrations given in Philadelphia, September 15, 16, 17, 1887, in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of the United States. In 1889 he was appointed a member of the commission of five to mature plans for the erection of the State Library building. The recommendations of the commission were adopted by the Legislature and in 1894 the building was completed. He was a member of the board of visitors to Chandler Scientific School, Dartmouth College, 1890-95, and since the latter year has been a member of the College Board of Trustees. He has ever cherished a warm love for his alma mater and was most active and influential in the negotiations which finally resulted in the complete consolidation of the Chandler Scientific School with Dartmouth College. He is a member and trustee of Alpha Omega Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, of Dartmouth; member of the American Social Science Association; member and trustee of the New Hampshire Historical Society, president 1895-97. So a life of eighty-five years has been spent, one of the lives of New Hampshire men who have shaped events and given direction to public and business affairs. His success is the merited reward of industry, ability and integrity. Possessed of a vigorous mind, disciplined and strengthened by education and experience, Mr. Kimball has been a leader in all that tends to the public good and can review his long life with the satisfaction which attends every duty well performed. He has not devoted himself slavishly to business, but has traveled widely at home and abroad, while his valuable private library and artistic adornment of his home bespeaks the literary and cultured tastes of the owner. Concord is his winter home, "The Broads," on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, the attractive summer home of the family. Mr. Kimball married at Canterbury, New Hampshire, January 9, 1861, Myra Tilton Elliott, daughter of Ira Elliott, of Northfield. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball are the parents of a son, Henry Ames Kimball, now proprietor of the firm of Ford & Kimball, founded in 1865 by his father.
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©2004 Peter K Kimball |
Benjamin
Ames Kimball - An attempt to classify Mr. Kimball and place him among the
eminent men of a particular business ends in confusion, but with due deference
to his mighty achievements in business, mechanics, finance, public life, and
philanthropy, it is as a railroad official and executive that he has reached the
greatest height of accomplishment. Railroading was his predestined
employment, the ambition of his youth and the pride of his mature years.
Yet after eleven years of service with the Concord Railroad, during which time
he rose from draughtsman to master mechanic, he resigned to enter business life.
But he "came back" after a successful private business career, and in 1873
re-entered railroad service as a director of the Manchester & North Weare
Railroad. In January, 1879, he was elected a director of the Concord
Railroad and has annually been re-elected to the board of directors of that road
and of its successor, the Concord & Montreal, until the present date, 1918.
In 1895 he was elected president of the corporation and to that post he has been
successively re-elected as each term expired. He is a director and
president of nearly all the leased roads connected with the Concord & Montreal
Railroad system, which is now leased to the Boston & Maine Railroad, including
its electric branches.